Super trawler will stay banned: Tony Abbott

SUPER trawler the Abel Tasman will remain banned from Australian waters beyond the expiry of its current ban in November 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said.

SUPER trawler the Abel Tasman will remain banned from
Australian waters beyond the expiry of its current ban in November 2014, Prime
Minister Tony Abbott has said.

In parliament’s question time this afternoon Mr Abbott said
he agreed with Tasmanian Liberals leader Will Hodgman’s opposition to allowing
the super trawler into Australian waters.

"It was banned, it will stay banned,’’ Mr Abbott said.

His comments came after member for Denison Andrew Wilkie
said Tasmanian Liberal senator and parliamentary secretary for agriculture
Richard Colbeck appeared to have said the federal government could allow the
super trawler.

The Abel Tasman’s ban from fishing in Australian waters expires
in November.